As part of the Volleyball England level 3 coaching certification process I had to maintain a coaching log. The log was part of a final practical evaluation process which also included an on-sight visit from a coaching tutor to observe a training session. Since I had to do it, I figured I might as well keep it here on the blog. That way it could to further the conversation and exchange that is the main idea driving the website.
I decided to concentrate my log on the Exeter University women’s team. I also coached the men, but split responsibility there a bit. Also, in the case of scheduling conflict, I prioritized the women that season (it was the men the year before). That being the case, I figured the log would be more consistent if it focused on them.
The team played in three different competitions that year. They were BUCS, the Volleyball England Student Cup, and the South West regional league. BUCS is the top priority, with the SW league largely a way to get players more court time.
In terms of BUCS, we were running both Division 1 and 2 teams. They all trained together in a squad of 17. There were challenges, but the level of play in the squad was consistent enough to make for reasonable training sessions. We looked at the Div2 squad as largely developmental – and a way for the school to pick up additional BUCS points. The Div1 team was the main focus and where I concentrated most of my log entries.
The general idea of the log was to document my analysis of the team’s performance – collectively and individually – and how I turned that into specific training plans. I only needed to make 10 entries to fulfill my certification requirement, but I kept it going because I found it a really useful exercise.
Volleyball coaching log (reverse chronological order)
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